Midfielder David Swallow will be purposely rested for the Gold Coast SUNS’ round six clash with North Melbourne this Saturday night.

Having played only six senior games since being crowned Club Champion at the end of 2014, the SUNS are taking a conservative approach with Swallow.

GM Football Operations Marcus Ashcroft told goldcoastfc.com.au that periodic rests for Swallow throughout 2017 are part of the long-term plan to ensure his past injuries were managed accordingly.

“We’ve mapped out a year plan for David, obviously he’s missed a lot of footy over the last year or so with a significant injury so we want to make sure we can get him through the whole year,” Ashcroft said.

“As part of that plan he won’t play footy at all this weekend, with the view to being able to play next weekend against Geelong.”

After successive impressive performances in the NEAFL Jesse Lonergan will come into the senior team for the first time in 2017 to replace Swallow.

Entering his fifth season in the AFL, Lonergan has worked on becoming more versatile over the pre-season while still honing in on the grunt and power fans have come to expect from the Tasmanian.

Saturday’s game will also mark the 50-game milestone for utility Jack Martin.

Martin’s silky ball movement and quality decision making have seen him play an integral role in the SUNS’ midfield, forward and back line over his 50-games.


Gold Coast SUNS Round 5 AFL Premiership Team

B: J. Harbrow, J. Leslie, J. Joyce
HB: S. Lemmens, K. Kolodjahnij, A. Saad
C: B. Fiorini, G. Ablett, M. Rosa
HF: J. Lyons, T. Lynch, A. Sexton
F: B. Matera, P. Wright, J. Martin
FOLL: J. Witss, A. Hall, M. Barlow

INT: J. Bowes, T. Miller, J. Lonergan, C. Ah Chee

EMG: M. Shaw, B. Scheer, K. Brooksby

IN: J. Lonergan
OUT: D. Swallow (rested)